Originally the Jólasveinar (or Christmas lads) had parents only the Brothers Grimm would have loved.
Mother Grýla and father Leppalúði were ogres living in the mountains. Grýla was especially ferocious. During the Christmas season she would sweep down from her high terrain abode and not only beg for food, but with her pet, the Yuletide Cat, would also steal and then eat bad children. Talk about a gal with immense holiday anxiety!
Over the centuries, starting in the 13th, regaling children with the bloodthirsty exploits of the female monster was in the repertoire of every Icelandic parent. Being Grýla grub for the holidays was the fear of children across the North Atlantic island.
Sometime in the 1600’s, according to custom, Grýla and Leppalúði had a series of blessed events – thirteen in total – and all boys.
From the beginning the ogre offspring, while not as brutal as their mother – they were far from angelic.
A look at their names gave away their true nature. Pot Licker, Door Slammer and Sausage Stealer were just a few of the characteristic callings.
Legend claimed starting on December 12th, Stekkjarstaur (Gimpy) would walk stiff legged down from the mountains into a farmer’s stable and try to steal milk from penned in sheep.
Although he was unsuccessful, on the very next day his brother Giljagaur (Gully Imp) had better luck in procuring foam from a cow’s milk bucket.
December 14th saw Stúfur (Itty Bitty) steal a pan with bits of food stuck to it.
Hunger drove the skinny elf, Þvörusleikir (Pot Scraper Licker) on the 15th to grab the pot sticker and lick it clean before the cook reappeared.
Þvörusleikir ‘s brother Pottasleikir (Pot Licker) was more ambitious on December 16th. When a cottage door opened he pushed his way straight to the pot and ate from it.
The sixth Jólasveinar Askasleikir (Bowl Licker) was no friend to the farmer’s cat and dog as he cleaned out their bowls of food before Kitty and Fido had a chance to eat.
Noise, not food, was the reason Hurðaskellir (Door Slammer) came to town on the 18th.
If you have tasted Skyr, the Icelandic creamy version of yogurt, you cannot blame Skyrgámur (Skyr Gobbler) for ingesting so much, on the 19th, that he was near explosion when he finished.
Carnivore extraordinaire described Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage Snatcher) and his December 20th exploits.
Gluggagægir (Window Peeper) was basically a peeping Tom who would spend December 21st looking in windows and coming back later to take whatever had caught his eye.
By the 22nd the large nose of Gáttaþefur (Doorway Sniffer) would bring him to the homes where the smell of Icelandic leaf bread would permeate from the kitchens.
December 23rd marks St. Thorlak’s Day and a smelly fish, skate, is cooked in lamb broth in kitchens all over Iceland. Knowing this the 12th elf, Ketkrókur (Meat Hooker) would try to spear some of the shark meat to eat.
Christmas Eve brought the last Jólasveinar into the lowlands. Kertasníkir (Candle Beggar) required some illumination for his holy day. Christmas Day would mark their return to the mountains and mother.
By the 20th century the 13 Christmas Lads had transformed into jolly imps, and were often shown in more seasonal red outfits, than their original Icelandic garb.
Children no longer fear the lads as little presents are left in shoes set out by windowsills. If a potato is left – an adjustment in attitude is required.
What would the Jólasveinar leave you?
Linda J Bottjer - I have wanderlust! It began, at the age of five, when my mother gave me a National Geographic map, and said, "become a citizen of the ...
